Longarm machines

[crissie2883]

I am thinking of buying a longarm machine. I had myself convinced on buying an Avante 18 but when I went to my longarm quilter she has a Melineum and just loves it. Said it has lifetime warrenty and it sews like a dream. Anyone have any experience with multiple longarm machines that would care to share their thoughts?

[ilive2craft2]

My suggestion is to try out as many as you can before purchasing. Different features are important to different quilters. Many quilt shows will have long arm vendors with machines setup for trying out and have special pricing/financing options available.

I purchased used through an individual who was trading up and am very happy with it so far - I have had it almost 2 years. I have a Tin Lizzie clone made by Husqvarna/Viking called a Mega Quilter 18 X 8. Many dealers take trade ins, so it might be good to put your name on a list if you find a brand that you like. These are all work horses of machines, so don't be put off by an older model.

There is a big learning curve with any long arm, so please make sure to give yourself time to play and practice and don't be too critical on your first attempts. Most important is to have fun! Put some music on to help relax your shoulders.

[ilive2craft2]

Forgot to say - Welcome to the forum! I just noticed this was your first post.

[Quiltfreestyle]

Sorry, I have a Babylock Crown Jewel, which I truly love. Sews like a dream & doesn't have any problem with any kind of thread I've used. I tried a couple of other brands before I purchased & I truly recommend that you do the same. Like any other machine, it's a personal choice so you should try out any machines you can.
Another thing to be aware of is the frame it's on. Look closely at how the quilt will be mounted. I like the new frames they have out now with an extra roller at the back of the throat, and the take up roller is above it. This configuration keeps the sewing area flat without constant adjustments. I plan to buy one of these new frames someday when money allows.
And welcome to the Forum.

[Jean Sewing Machine]

I, too, have a Tin Lizzie clone with a Pfaff badge on it. Mine has been relatively problem free, not perfect, but I've managed to work through the issues. I'd say, learn your machine's quirks, such as balancing tensions, cleaning rituals, what thread works best. If you don't have close by dealer support, you or someone near and dear to you needs to learn how to trouble shoot, because you are not going to be wanting to tote this baby off to a shop! They are just too big! Plus, then you can't quilt while it is off to the shop, plus often the problem can only be seen while the machine is on the frame ( using encoders/ computers/ stitch regulators.). I've heard good things about APQS, isn't that who makes the Millenium? Are you going to get a machine with a computer to guide it? That's a whole different ball game than using one that you hand guide.

[stitching woman]

I have the Tin Lizzie and love it. Like the others I tried several before picking Lizzie. I went to the quilters expo where they had lots of different machines set up in one place made f o r easy comparison. Good luck on your search and welcome to the forum.

[SuzyQue]

I have an 18 Inch Innova that I adore! Check them out before deciding on a long arm. Well made and will last forever! You can upgrade your machine as you want with all new technologies.....so start with the right size machine and bare basics, if that is all you can afford. You can add all the bells and whistles as you go.....even things they haven't thought of yet. They are made for forever use!

[c21cg]

cant afford one of those luxury machines, so thinking of a grace frame and a janome 1600p - i can use wavy boards and fmq.

[bhaggerty]

I have the babylock crown jewel and have not had any problems!
Recommend to test drive as many as you can as it is a big investment!

I purchased mine at quiltfrog in TX - they have 13 different ones on the model floor and you can test drive them all in one afternoon - side by side comparison.

Quilt Shop, Longarm Quilting Machines, Tin Lizzie, Long Arm Gammill Handi Quilter ABM Innova, Em[press Quilter